Episodios

  • Is Sanctification the Most Misunderstood Concept in Christianity?

    Is Sanctification the Most Misunderstood Concept in Christianity?
    Apr 8 2025
    This week, we explore the often misunderstood doctrine of sanctification, what it is, and isn’t. Is it something we accomplish through effort, or something God alone works in us? We unpack the difference between performative piety and genuine transformation, arguing that grace—not fear—is the engine of Christian growth. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (01:37) - Recap of Paul Washer episode (10:59) - Understanding sanctification: monistic vs. synergistic (14:50) - The role of grace in sanctification (17:17) - Biblical interpretation and personal responsibility (21:37) - Historical perspectives on salvation and grace (22:50) - Augustine’s conversion story (23:46) - The reality of Christian imperfection (24:36) - New identity in Christ (26:28) - Conviction and sanctification (30:43) - Faith and evidence of salvation (33:19) - Marriage as a gospel illustration (35:41) - The variability of sanctification (39:41) - The danger of fake spirituality (42:09) - Final thoughts on grace and sanctification Get full show notes and links at https://www.thechristianskeptic.org. Watch the episode on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thechristianskeptic.
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    43 m
  • Live Q&A: Navigating the Christian Life

    Live Q&A: Navigating the Christian Life
    Apr 1 2025
    This week, we’re sharing a special live Q&A where we explore the complexities of the Christian life. From practical advice on living out your faith to tackling deep theological questions, we cover topics such as faith versus belief, predestination versus free will, overcoming fear, LGBTQ+ issues in the church, and much more. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (04:43) - Cremation and the resurrection (10:29) - Living a life trusting God over fear (20:58) - Confession and forgiveness (26:52) - Christian liberty and deference to others (35:50) - LGBTQ+ issues in the church (39:06) - Understanding tithes and offerings (41:03) - What happens to the soul after death? (42:33) - Do you have to go to church? (44:14) - Grounds for divorce in Christianity (45:16) - Predestination vs free will (49:55) - How gospel writers acquired their knowledge (50:50) - The purpose and power of prayer (54:32) - Faith vs belief (55:14) - Does God have more than one will? (01:01:03) - How far should we go to bring friends and family into faith? (01:06:09) - Is it necessary for Christians to make our belief in God public before others? (01:07:58) - Salvation before Christ’s death (01:08:42) - Is there forgiveness for a Christian who curses God or commits blasphemy? (01:10:03) - What does it mean to condemn oneself (Romans 14)? (01:12:14) - How do we know something is sin if it’s not in the Bible? (01:15:27) - Tattoos and Christianity (01:19:21) - Does a divorced marriage disqualify one from holding a leadership role in the church? (01:20:08) - Public displays of Christianity (01:21:45) - Gospel message and lordship (01:23:25) - The masculinity of Jesus (01:26:16) - Free will and salvation (01:28:37) - Are there contradictions in the Gospels? Get full show notes and links at https://www.thechristianskeptic.org. Watch the episode on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thechristianskeptic.
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    1 h y 31 m
  • Should Christians Ever Call Out Sin? | TCS Reacts

    Should Christians Ever Call Out Sin? | TCS Reacts
    Mar 25 2025
    Is it our job to warn others away from sin—or just to help them pick up the pieces after they fall? This week, we react to a provocative clip from Tullian Tchividjian and explore the tension between grace, truth, and our responsibility to each other in Christian community. In this episode: (00:00) – Intro (03:46) – When grace feels like a provocation (04:45) – Grace, public failures, and owning your crap (08:41) – What Christians get wrong about rock bottom (09:56) – The cliff, the crash, and the call to stay (12:26) – Do warnings even work? (13:56) – The role of the Holy Spirit in a person’s turning point (15:56) – When you’re the one falling apart (18:26) – What Scripture really says about calling out sin (20:26) – Who has earned the right to speak into your life? (21:56) – Warnings without love fall flat (25:56) – What actually counts as sin? (27:56) – Your convictions aren’t universal (32:56) – Picking up the pieces, not enabling the crash (34:56) – We don’t just fail once Get full show notes and links at https://www.thechristianskeptic.org. Watch the episode on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thechristianskeptic.
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    37 m
  • What Paul Washer Gets Wrong About God's Love | TCS Reacts

    What Paul Washer Gets Wrong About God's Love | TCS Reacts
    Mar 18 2025
    Does suffering prove God’s love? Does ease mean he’s abandoned you? In this reaction episode, we respond to a video from Paul Washer on hardship, holiness, and God’s love—and challenge some common theological misconceptions. We break down Washer’s claims, discuss the dangers of works-based faith, and explore why grace—not suffering or circumstances—defines our standing with God. In this episode: (00:00) – Intro (02:26) – Paul Washer: Does God’s love mean hardship? (04:10) – Truth or oversimplification? A flawed theology of suffering (08:39) – The hidden Catholicism in reformed theology (09:45) – Prosperity Gospel in reverse? When suffering becomes a badge of honor (12:11) – What does God's correction look like? (18:12) – Can you judge your faith by your circumstances? (23:41) – Holiness and sanctification (27:14) – Why some preachers use fear to keep you in line Get full show notes and links at https://www.thechristianskeptic.org. Watch the episode on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thechristianskeptic.
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    33 m
  • Three Critical Mistakes Christians Make About Matthew 7:21-23

    Three Critical Mistakes Christians Make About Matthew 7:21-23
    Feb 25 2025
    This week, we dive into one of Jesus’ most unsettling statements from Matthew 7:21-23—”I never knew you. Depart from me.” Often misinterpreted as a call for believers to work more and try harder, we unpack how this passage actually dismantles a works-based approach to salvation, revealing that knowing Jesus—not religious performance—is what truly matters. We explore cultural and personal struggles with grace, how legalism warps our understanding of faith, and why even good works can become a form of self-salvation. Let’s get to it! In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (02:33) – Why Matthew 7:21-23 is one of the most unsettling passages in the Bible (04:39) - Personal reflections on salvation (08:28) – Common misunderstanding about faith and works (13:28) – What Jesus really meant by “depart from me, I never knew you” (18:18) – How legalism distorts our faith and fuels doubt (19:18) – The surprising way Jesus’ words dismantle a performance-based gospel (23:28) – How good works become self-salvation (27:58) – How growing up in religious environments can lead to fear and insecurity (29:08) – The radical, often-overlooked simplicity of grace (33:28) – What it actually means to “do the will of the Father” (35:28) – Why our human nature resists the idea that salvation is 100% free (39:30) - The radical nature of grace Get full show notes and links at https://www.thechristianskeptic.org. Watch the episode on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thechristianskeptic.
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    41 m
  • The Truth About "All Things Work Together for Good" (Romans 8:28)

    The Truth About "All Things Work Together for Good" (Romans 8:28)
    Feb 18 2025
    This week, we kick off a new series on commonly misinterpreted passages of Scripture, starting with Romans 8:28. We unpack what it really means when Scripture says “all things work together for good,” challenging misconceptions about God’s sovereignty, suffering, and Christian growth. Topics we discuss: How we misunderstand God’s definition of “good” What Paul means by “all things” Why Romans 8:28 isn’t a promise that life will be easy The difference between God’s sovereignty and hard determinism How this verse gets used (and misused) in Christian culture Why “God’s plan” isn’t always what we expect—and why that’s a good thing How this verse challenges our assumptions about suffering, success, and faith Chapters (00:00) - Intro (03:49) - Wildly erroneous, but commonly accepted (07:00) - Do all things work together for good? (08:49) - Determinism and God's sovereignty (16:19) - The golden chain of redemption (20:33) - Redefining 'good' in biblical terms (25:23) - The assurance of becoming more like Jesus (26:33) - What does it mean to become more like Jesus? (32:04) - The true nature of Jesus' teachings (40:56) - The ultimate goal of life (45:17) - How do we know if we have it right? Get full show notes and links at https://www.thechristianskeptic.org. Watch the episode on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thechristianskeptic.
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    51 m
  • Why I Stopped Trying to Be a Good Christian

    Why I Stopped Trying to Be a Good Christian
    Feb 11 2025
    This week, Adam shares his story—years of fear and chasing the impossible standard of "perfection", until the weight of legalism and religious control led him to question everything. We discuss the pressure to be "good" in church culture, deconstruction, and what happens when we stop trying to earn God's love and discover the truth of grace and the gospel. Topics we discuss: Embracing authenticity over perfection How questioning can lead to growth The emotional side of faith The impact of spiritual disciplines Chapters (00:00) - Intro (03:34) - Pragmatic INTJ vs. Theoretical INTP (05:50) - The power of stories (07:58) - Trying to be good enough (10:15) - Struggles with legalism and ministry (16:18) - Courtship and along came a girl (20:35) - Transition to Bible College (22:43) - Struggles with faith and ministry (24:11) - Intellectual curiosity and doubting motivations (26:02) - Disillusionment (28:29) - Major life changes (35:41) - Turning point - rediscovering grace (41:46) - The power of spiritual disciplines (45:42) - God's relentless grace Get full show notes and links at https://www.thechristianskeptic.org. Watch the episode on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thechristianskeptic.
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    47 m
  • From Legalism to Liberation: Navigating Church Hurt and Theological Shifts

    From Legalism to Liberation: Navigating Church Hurt and Theological Shifts
    Feb 4 2025
    Get full show notes and links at https://www.thechristianskeptic.org. Watch the episode on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thechristianskeptic. Season 02 of The Christian Skeptic is here! In this raw and candid episode, Aaron shares his personal journey through faith, ministry, and discovering authentic grace. Navigating personal tragedy, the complexities of church leadership, and theological transformation, Aaron's story challenges conventional Christian culture while offering hope for those who feel they don't fit the traditional mold. Topics we discuss: Growing up in strict religious movements The pressures of pastoral ministry Dealing with personal crisis and church trauma Finding authentic faith beyond religiosity Chapters: (00:00) - Intro (01:37) - Growing up in a cult (09:18) - Introduction to the Puritans and Reformed Theology (11:26) - Bible college and psychology (20:12) - Life as a traveling youth speaker (23:48) - Does God "call" people to ministry? (31:26) - Disillusionment with the church (34:41) - Taking a break from ministry (39:45) - Journey back to faith (42:43) - How suffering led to a grace revolution (49:57) - Embracing grace and freedom
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    1 h
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